Little changes - Eliminating Plastics

I thought I'd add a little update about some of the small, day to day changes that I'm trying to make. I guess it's worth mentioning that my long term plan is to someday create my own sustainable home, live off grid and be moderately self sufficient. My present living situation doesn't really allow me to up sticks and go 'live the dream', so right now I'm making a slow progression toward my ultimate goal. I'm currently under the impression that any changes in habit and lifestyle I make now will make 'living the dream' an easier transition in the long run. 

I'm quite sure that if all my home comforts were taken away over night I would cope perfectly well, but as I live in a house with people that don't share my enthusiasm for saving the planet I am trying to introduce new things a little at a time.

When I first became interested in this 'eco-friendly' thing I used to see lots of clever ideas while browsing the internet and it did contribute to my feeling of wanting this change. One day, when I have my off-grid little abode, I will undoubtedly take more of an interest in eco-friendly plumbing and creating my own electricity. For now though, my aims are smaller. I am simply looking at my daily actions, and more importantly purchases. I think about how these items are manufactured and where they have come from. I think about how I use them and what waste is created by doing so.   

The most obvious change I wanted to make was the elimination of plastics. Most trips to the supermarket generate a mountain of plastic debris. Since focusing in on this particular issue I have started to really appreciate where I can buy things loose, or in paper or glass containers. The elimination of plastics has several areas to look at:

FOOD PACKAGING: This in itself has really made me think about my diet as well. Many of the loose ingredients (dry goods and fresh vegetables) are healthier than their highly processed alternatives, so by avoiding the packaged foods I'm also avoiding some really unhealthy junk food! Naturally, this has meant more time in the kitchen making things from scratch, but as I enjoy cooking this is no bad thing. Another side effect of buying slightly better quality ingredients, either because they're local and I can buy loose or because they are packaged in glass jars that I can re-use, is that I am conscious of making my money go further. I am eating less food, but of better quality. I have also started looking out for where I can buy ingredients from artisan makers (if I can't grow it myself!). I am fortunate enough to live near a couple of working windmills where I can buy flour and a tea merchant that will weigh loose tea and decant it into my own containers in decent quantities. As I get into this life I'm sure I will find new ways of acquiring the little luxuries I may otherwise miss out on.

EVERYDAY HOUSEHOLD: There are many items around the house that are manufactured in plastic because they are intended to be disposable or because they're not things that many people want to invest money in. Laundry baskets, dish scrubbers, pegs, bins - the list is endless. The vast majority of these things do not need to be made in plastic. Indeed, until a few decades ago, all of these things were made in wood, glass, cloth or ceramics. As I move around my house now I am looking at things all the time thinking 'I wonder if I can find that made in something else'. More often than not the answer is yes and even better, they are being handmade by artisan crafters. By looking for these things to replace the plastic ware, I am not only thinking about the planet, I am also supporting a small business. The ideal is to make them myself or to source these things locally, to reduce the distance these items have to travel, but if necessary I will order from further afield. 

BUYING NEW: I have always had a fondness for vintage and antique items, so buying new doesn't happen often here. The trouble with buying new, especially furniture and clothing, is the pollution created in manufacturing, not so much how long you can make it last. There is usually packaging to be disposed of too. I think the thing here is to think about how you like to live. This lifestyle is much more about make do and mend, not keeping up with the trends. I firmly believe that picking up pieces you love, however eclectic the overall look or your home ends up, is far better for the soul than buying a whole new collection of furniture every time you decorate. 

For some ideas about where to find good replacements for the plastic in your life check out my pinterest board 'Sustainable Living'